8 additional human cases of West Nile virus bringing the total in Illinois to 68

SPRINGFIELD - The Illinois Department of Public Health is reporting today eight additional human cases of West Nile virus bringing the total this year in Illinois to 68. Additional cases include:

• Boone County woman in her 30’s became ill in early September
• DuPage County man in his 30’s became ill in early September
• Lake County female in her 50’s became ill in early September
• Lake County man in his 60’s became ill in late September
• McHenry County man in his 50’s became ill in late September
• Saline County woman in her 50’s became ill in late August
• Will County man in his 60’s became ill in mid-September
• Winnebago County man in his 80’s became ill in late September

“At this time last year the Illinois Department of Public Health has received reports of 215 human cases of West Nile virus compared with 68 human cases this year. However, we continue to receive reports of additional human cases of West Nile virus so you need to continue to protect yourself when outdoors,” said Dr. Damon T. Arnold, state public health director. “Although the weather is cooler, mosquitoes and the risk of West Nile virus will be around until a hard freeze, so you remember the insect repellent when you go outside.”

There have been four deaths in Illinois related to West Nile virus in 2007.

A total of 40 counties in Illinois have reported mosquito samples, birds, horses or humans positive for West Nile virus, so far this year.

In 2006, the first positive mosquito sample was reported May 24th in DuPage County and the first human case was reported August 1 in St. Clair County. Last year 77 of the state’s 102 counties were found to have a West Nile positive bird, mosquito, horse or human case. A total of 215 human cases of West Nile disease, including 10 deaths, were reported last year in Illinois.

Surveillance for West Nile virus in Illinois began May 1st and includes laboratory tests on mosquitoes, dead crows, blue jays, robins and other perching birds as well as the testing of sick horses and humans with West Nile-like disease symptoms. Citizens who observe a sick or dying crow, blue jay, robin or other perching bird should contact their local health department, which will determine if the bird is to be picked up for testing.

West Nile virus is transmitted through the bite of a mosquito that has picked up the virus by feeding on an infected bird. Most people with the virus have no clinical symptoms of illness, but some may become ill three to 14 days after the bite of an infected mosquito.

Only about two persons out of 10 who are bitten by an infected mosquito will experience any illness. Illness from West Nile is usually mild and includes fever, headache and body aches, but serious illness, such as encephalitis and meningitis, and death are possible. Persons older than 50 years of age have the highest risk of severe disease.

The best way to prevent West Nile disease or any other mosquito-borne illness is to reduce the number of mosquitoes around your home and to take personal precautions to avoid mosquito bites. Precautions include:

Avoid being outdoors when mosquitoes are most active, especially between dusk and dawn. Use prevention methods whenever mosquitoes are present.

When outdoors, wear shoes and socks, long pants and a long-sleeved shirt, and apply insect repellent that includes DEET, picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus according to label instructions. Consult a physician before using repellents on infants.

Make sure doors and windows have tight-fitting screens. Repair or replace screens that have tears or other openings. Try to keep doors and windows shut, especially at night.

Eliminate all sources of standing water that can support mosquito breeding, including flowerpots, clogged roof gutters, old tires and any other receptacles. Change water in bird baths weekly. Properly maintain wading pools and stock ornamental ponds with fish. Cover rain barrels with 16 mesh wire screen. In communities where there are organized mosquito control programs, contact your municipal government to report areas of stagnant water in roadside ditches, flooded yards and similar locations that may produce mosquitoes.

Additional information about West Nile virus can be found on the Department’s Web site at www.idph.state.il.us/envhealth/wnv.htm or people can call the West Nile Virus Hotline at 866-369-9710 Monday through Friday from 8:00am to 5:00pm.

The Illinois Department of Public Health will send news releases updating West Nile virus activity in the state every Wednesday during the season. Updates throughout the week can be found on the Department Web site.